Court interpreter lands in the dock for ‘bribe’

A court interpreter has unwittingly landed himself in the dock after allegedly trying to bribe a home affairs immigration officer.

McAnderson Doctor‚ an interpreter at Kimberley’s Galeshewe Court for the Department of Justice in the northern Cape‚ is facing charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice.

He allegedly facilitated a bribery transaction between the immigration officer and an migrant who had been arrested for not having the necessary asylum documents.

Hawks spokesman Captain Philani Nkwalase said a preliminary investigation had found that he tried to “coerce” the immigration officer‚ in exchange for money‚ not to produce a final rejection letter in court against the immigrant.

The roles were reversed when he found himself‚ earlier this week‚ standing in the dock as an accused at the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court.

“The case against McAnderson was postponed to 30 June 2017 for formal bail application and he remains in custody. More arrests on the matter are imminent‚” said Nkwalase.

A probe is also underway to determine his correct age because he was in possession of documents with conflicting dates of birth.